Box Score HAMPTON, VA- Hampton Football defeated Howard 31-28, extending their current consecutive winning streak over Howard to six games after Saturday night's highly anticipated season opener at Armstrong Stadium that drew a crowd of 12, 245.
 
The Pirates start the season off with a 1-0 record, and the Bison drop to an 0-2 start.
 
"It's a rivalry game you can expect anything, so for us to get a win I'm happy about it," said head coach Robert Prunty. "

By the Numbers
The Pirates amassed 425 yards of total offense in Hampton's win over Howard, showcasing a balanced ground and air attack. 
 
Malcolm Mays completed 18 of 30 passes, totaling 238 yards for a pair of touchdowns with two interceptions.
Veteran Receiver Jadakis Bonds led the Pirates offense with a 91-yard performance off four receptions and a touchdown. Darran Butts led the pirates on the ground with only two carries, highlighted by a 75-yard touchdown.

Axel Perez was 1 of 1 on field goal attempts, nailing a 20-yard attempt,  4 of 4 on the extra point kicks for Hampton accounting for seven points in tonights win.
 
Howard's Antoine Murray led all with 125 yards on three receptions. 
 
The Pirates were defensively fueled by linebacker Qwahsin Townsel's 14 tackles (8 solo) and 2.5 tackles for a 17-yard loss. Senior defensive back Ali Shockley followed up with eight tackles (5 solo) on the night. 
 
How It Happened: 
Both Hampton and Howard got off to a slow start on offense resulting in a scoreless opening quarter. 
 
Howard struck first with a three play 19-yard drive to take a 6-0 lead after starting the second quarter in Hampton territory. 
 
As both teams exchanged possessions the Pirates rotated quarterbacks into the game to give fans a good look at Hampton's offensive options at QB. Freshman Christopher Zellous was able to cut right up the middle to score an 11-yard touchdown on a quarterback keeper and the extra point from Axel Perez gave the Pirates a 7-6 lead with 3:41 remaining in the second quarter.
 
On the next Hampton drive Malcolm Mays got the Pirates core group of receivers going, connecting on five of seven passes before Jadakis Bonds hauled in a 30-yard pass to give the pirates a 14-6 edge heading into the half. 
 
The momentum carried over into the second half as Hampton's defense held the Bison to a three-and-out, forcing Howard to punt on 4^th and 4.
 
May's and wide-receiver Romon Copeland were in sync throughout the Pirate's entire opening drive to start the third quarter of action. May's connected with Copeland on four catches for a total of 61-yards, before finding Copeland for a 15-yard touchdown to give Hampton a 21-6 advantage with 9:18 left in the third.
 
The Pirates entered the fourth quarter with a 21-6 lead, but Howard was not ready to hang it up just yet, and it showed. Howard orchestrated a five-play drive for 91-yards, scoring quickly to make it a 21-13 Hampton lead with plenty of game left to play. 
 
Unfortunately for Howard, it only took 12 seconds for Hampton to respond as Darran Butts broke away from every Bison in sight, rushing for a 75-yard touchdown extending Hampton's lead 28-13 with 13:16 left to play.
 
A 20-yard field goal from Perez gave the Pirates a 31-13 cushion, and it appeared as if the game was in the bag.
 
Howard managed to score consecutive touchdowns in the air, highlighted by a successful two-point conversion late in the fourth quarter to make it a game, 31-28, in Hampton's favor. 
 
Hampton knocked some time off the clock during the Pirate's final drive of the game, giving Howard only 18 seconds left to make one last effort.
 
The Pirate's defense was able to finish the job, and Hampton came away with a year's extension on bragging rights and the 31-28 win.
 
NEXT UP: The Pirates are set to host Tuskegee at Armstrong Stadium next Saturday, September 10, 2022, at 6 PM. 
 
For more information about Hampton University athletics, follow the Pirates on Twitter @HUATHLETICS 1868 and on Instagram at @huathletics1868, or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com